Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, has charged his players to come out firing when Nigeria face Madagascar in their opening Group C match of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in Uyo today.

The Franco-Malian tactician said his team must set the tone early, take the game to the visitors and show aggression and intensity from the first whistle if they are to start the qualification campaign on a strong note.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Chelle said the squad has prepared well and is mentally and physically ready for the encounter, stressing that there is no room for a slow start.

He noted that the opening match of any qualification series is always crucial, as it sets the momentum for the rest of the campaign, and therefore his players must approach it with the right mentality and hunger to win.

Chelle also urged the team to put last year’s disappointing World Cup qualifying campaign behind them, saying the focus now should be on building a new identity, restoring confidence and approaching the new AFCON qualifiers with renewed ambition.

According to him, the coaching crew has worked hard to correct the lapses observed in previous matches, particularly in terms of concentration, finishing and defensive organisation, and he expects to see significant improvement against Madagascar.

The Super Eagles coach said he has been impressed with the attitude of the players in camp, adding that competition for places is intense and everyone is eager to impress and justify their invitation to the national team.

He maintained that Nigeria has enough quality in the squad to dominate games, but quality alone will not be enough without hard work, discipline and the willingness to fight for every ball from start to finish.

Nigeria go into today’s clash with a superior head-to-head record against Madagascar in AFCON qualifiers, having won three and drawn one of their last four meetings, a statistic Chelle wants his players to build on.

The Eagles lost to Madagascar 2-0 at the 2019 AFCON finals group game in Egypt although they have generally enjoyed dominance over the Island nation, but Chelle warned that past records will count for nothing if the team fails to perform on the pitch.

He described Madagascar as a well organised and dangerous side, capable of punishing any team that underrates them, and therefore urged his players to remain focused and avoid complacency.

The match, scheduled for the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, is expected to attract a large crowd, with Akwa Ibom State Government and the Nigeria Football Federation mobilising support for the team.

Chelle said playing at home is an added advantage, but the team must use the support of the fans positively and not allow pressure to affect their performance, urging them to play with freedom and confidence.

He also hinted that his side will adopt an attacking approach, with emphasis on quick transitions, high pressing and effective use of the wings to break down the Malagasy defence.

The coach disclosed that all invited players are fit and available for selection, except for minor knocks that have been fully assessed by the medical team, giving him a full complement of players to choose from.

Captain Wilfred Ndidi and other senior players have also spoken about the importance of starting the campaign with a victory, saying it will boost morale ahead of the more challenging fixtures in the group.

Nigeria is in Group C alongside Madagascar, Rwanda and Benin Republic, and only the top two teams will qualify automatically for the 2027 AFCON, which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

Chelle said his objective is to not just qualify, but to qualify in style by winning as many games as possible and building a team that Nigerians will be proud of at the tournament proper.

The Super Eagles will target another convincing victory at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium today, knowing that a positive start will send a strong signal to their group opponents and set them on the path to qualification.

Kick-off is scheduled for 5pm, and the match will be broadcast live on local and international television stations, with thousands of fans expected to cheer the Eagles to victory.